"Donald" of All Deliberate Speed, poses an excellent question. Namely, should one's career choices reflect one's ethics? Here's how he phrases it:
I've been wondering recently: does my choice reflect compliance with some external responsibility, or just a personal preference? What responsibilities do progressive, liberal individuals who claim to have a commitment to social justice owe to society, the practice of law, and their community upon entering the practice of law?
For me, the answer comes from the Bible. A lot of people talk about what is righteous, and what is Christian. Jesus clearly answered Donald's question (for me, anyway):
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matt. 25:34-40 (emphasis added). In light of my understanding of Scripture, how can I devote my life working for a firm where my goal is to fight the legal claims of the "least of thee"?
What are your thoughts? Should your personal morals (whether or not they are religion-based) compel your career choices?
UPDATE: Donald has further thoughts here.
